The Arc of Howard County’s 25th annual Chocolate Ball
The Peace, Love, and Inclusion Tour!
April 22, 2023
Thanks to Everyone Who Supported our 2023 Chocolate Ball!
It Was a RECORD BREAKING Year!
Follow this link to check out photos from the 2023 Chocolate Ball!
The 25th annual Chocolate Ball is The Arc of Howard County‘s Signature Event! The 25th annual Chocolate Ball was held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 7 p.m. to Midnight at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland. This black tie preferred gala — Tuxedos, Suits, and Gowns — Only Groovier! — is a magical evening of fine food, live music, dancing, signature beverages, silent auction, raffles, and of course, delicious chocolate!
We are excited to announce our Honorary Chocolate Ball Chair…Beth Benevides! Elizabeth (Beth) Benevides is Director of Outreach at the Hussman Institute for Autism, and Associate Director for Autism Programs at the Hussman Foundation. In her dual role, she oversees autism-related initiatives and grants, serves as policy and educational advocate for individuals and families with developmental disabilities, and presents numerous autism and disability-related trainings to clinicians, law enforcement, first responders, parents, school systems, businesses, and community partners. Beth is a board member of the Autism Society of America and former president of the Howard County Autism Society. She is chair of the Community Advisory Council of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities, and family faculty in the LEND program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute; an appointed member of the Ethan Saylor Alliance for Self-Advocates steering committee; and member of the Commission on Disabilities in Howard County. She was recently awarded the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) 2022 Gordon Richins Award for Leadership and Advocacy.
Beth is a certified special education advocate, and a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and the Maryland Education Advocacy Coalition. She brings her passion as a parent of an adult son with autism to her work. She holds a BA in English from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and formerly enjoyed a career in scholarly publishing.
Thanks to all who joined us and our celebrity Chocolate Ball Judges to raise money for a wonderful cause, all the while dancing the night away to the fabulous sounds of the band, Oracle! All net funds raised support The Arc of Howard County’s programmatic efforts to support people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families in Howard County, Maryland. We are proud to announce the 25th annual Chocolate Ball Judges:
- Ivy Perez, Person Supported by The Arc of Howard County
- Secretary Carol Beatty, Maryland Secretary of Disabilities
- Dr. Daria J. Willis, President of Howard Community College
- Candace Dodson-Reed, Vice President, Government Relations and Community Affairs at UMBC and Photographer
- Tom Coale, Attorney & Elevate Maryland Podcast
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
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Thank you to our 2023 Bakers!
Touché Touchet Bakery & Pastry Shoppe
Center for Applied Technology North
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Thank you to our 2023 Chocolate Ball Donors!
Audra Whitelock
Blowfish Poke & Grill (Marriottsville, MD)
Debbie Wagner
Gail Benson
HCPSS Student Employment Training Program
Howard County Pickleball Association
Katie Collins-Ihrke
Kendra Scott in Bethesda, Maryland
Maryland Live! Casino and Hotel
Pinot’s Palette (Ellicott City)
John Reasner Advertising and Design
Tastefully Simple (Michelle Young)
Thersa Ballinger
Therese and Doug Erdman
Tracey Eberhardt
University of Maryland Women’s Basketball
Whong Community Media/The Business Monthly
See you at the Ball!
Special Thank You to Last Year’s Sponsors!
The 24th Annual Chocolate Ball and 60th Year Celebration – April 2nd, 2022
